Sydney Property Sales Taxation Investigations BIG LAND DEALS Sydney, February 7. Taxation Department officials are investigating laud and property sales and the dealings of many Sydney estate agents. While many agents are conducting their business honestly, others are concealing thousands of pounds in property deals each week. Inquiries into several big land deals have already cost agents and land owners more than several tnousanas in Departmental fines for under-stateinent of income. Investigators are aware that few homes or blocks of land are sold to-day at Government valuation.

Vessel's Close Call ? ? ? m Mishap' on Maiden Trip TUGS' TIMELY ARRIVAL Melbourne, February 7. Two tugs struggled against a stiff westerly for two hours last night to save the 3,000-ton passenger-freighter Cape Ortegal from running aground at Port Melbourne. At times the ship was touching the sea bed, less than two hundred yards from the shore. Only the arrival of a third tug saved her. The Cane Ortegal was on her maiden voyage to Melbourne. As she was mov ing into her berth at Princess Pier a heavy gust of wind snapped the stern rcpe. Four other lines broke. Finally with her anchor down, using her own winches and with the two tngs pushing ami tugging tlie ship was able to keep f»fC the leach until the third tug arrived.

T-MVE SAFELY I HEED ALL ROAD SIGNS WHEREVER YOU GO Ii'sBpitisk ? Published in the interests of Safer Motoring hy\ THE COM9IOH WEALTH OIL* BEFKVERBES; LIMITED (Commonwealth Government and Anglo-Iranian Oil Co. Ltd.) '' ^ ? ?? ? ? .1 if ' ii ?? ? ? . ^ ;n t .wi i ? q39C/2O?3 j West Australian Government ' Railways RNGIM3 CLEANERS VACANCIES exist ia the Western Australian Government Railways for Engine dinners ; minimum age 37* yeai's and maximum age twenty-five (25) years last birthday; height not less than f» feet G inches without boots. Applicants must have passed not less than Standard VII. or its equivalent. Application forms must ~oa accom panied by (a) Birth certificate or extract from birth entry (record of registry of birth will not be accepted) : . (b) school certificate; (c) three (3) original testimonials and three (3) copies: ' No application .form will be con sidered unless accompanied by all .the papers required. Forms of application may be obtain ed from Cliief Traflie ...

Basic Food Prices Nose-Dived in America IRREGULAR TRADING New York, February 7. Basic food prices on the nation's commodity markets nose-dived for the third successive day to-day. The New York Stock Market was said to have regained its balance, but trading was irregular at the close. On the Chicago Board of Trade heavj' selling by shouting, exeited iKivicio otul unless ui »-ijc;-il iiuu luui futures down to the limit allowed for a single day's trading, within three minutes. Prices rallied weakly in the middle of the' morning, but crashed again later.

Palestine Partition ARABS' FIRM STAND Britain Foresees Dangers CONSISTENCY STATED Lake Success, February 7. Arabs would resist any international military units sent to enforce the par tition of Palestine into separate States for Jews and Arabs. Stating this in a Note to the United Nations the Arab Higher Committee said that Arabs would never recognise the validity of the partition plan or the authority of the United Nations to en force it. The only way to establish partition is first to wipe out every Arab, man, woman and child, says the Note. Meanwhile replying to charges that Britain was obstructing the partition plan a spokesman for the British dele gation said that United Nations mem bers were awakening to the dangers of splitting Palestine. Britain had been consistent in her stand and had tried to warn the United Nations of the dan gtis it would face in trying to enforce its decision, armed only with a paper plan. L _

Former Nazi General Suicide in French Gaol EX-GOVERNOR OF PARIS ' Paris, February 7. The second suicide in two days by a former Nazi Army General occurred to-day when Otto Von Stulpnagel (6S), was; found dead in his cell at Cherche Midi Military Prison. The body was found at 1 a.m. hanging by a rope Improvised from blanket strips. Stulpnagel was senior military coin tnander in German occupied France and .Military Governor of Paris from October, 1940 to January, 1942. He faced charges of murder with violence. A cousin, General Karl Heinrich' Von Stulpnagel, who succeeded Otto as Military Governor of Paris, was shot by the Gestapo for his part in the un successful bomb plot to assassinate Hit ler in July, 1944. ? I

Plot Against Gandhi Outline of Plan Disclosed SIGNED CONFESSIONS Bombay, February 7. Poona police report that they have uncovered the main outlines of the plot to kill Gandhi and possible other Indian national lenders. At least seven alleged plotters are implicated. The police say they nave signed statements from Gandhi's alleged assassin, Kathuram Vinayak Godse, UUU XtJ.tt.UaHl lull, tVUU \V-ta CTClibtrU £l.Llt:L the bomb explosion at Gandhi's prayer meeting on January 20th. A third 'key man in ' the conspiracy' has been detained. Three or four other suspects are being held and police are making a country-wide search for another Hindu. The police say the plotters met at Bom bay or in the Poona area several weeks ago and planned to kill Gandhi with the grenade, on January 20th after causing panic with explosives. Gandhi's raininess made the plan miscarry. Gandhi coolly remarked when the ex plosion occurred: — 'Someone has been practising bomb-throwing.'

Fifth Test Match ? «, ? Australia's Strong Position CENTURY BY HARVEY Melbourne, February 7. j Australia's stocks soared high when the side declared its first innings closed for the colossal total of 573 runs in the j Fifth Test match against India at the t«j:i inrervsil this afrvrnuon. The big -i--»wd ,,f 4.~,0-HI applauded the decision of Itradmau in this respect, feeling that the Indians had had mure than their share of Ifrlding. Weather conditions were ideal and the vast improvement effected in Australia's position to-day was largely as a result of the work executed in the brilliant partnership *-t j Loxtou and Harvey. In scoring 153 j runs ilarvey enhanced his growing j reputation as one of the most promis ing of the younger batsmen in Aus- ! tralfct to-day, and would seem to have j played Jiiiuselt' into the Test team ! which will tour England later this ! year. Loxton ligured in some excel lent .stroke play iu scoring 80 runs. Not -;nly did the Harvey-Loxton com bination serv...

Australian Recruiting Commencing in July OFFICERS' FEARS Sydney, February 7. Australian army oilicers fear that recruiting for the Citizen Military Forces to begin on July 1st will be hampered by insufficient uniforms for issue. It appears unlikely at present that contracts for new uniforms will bo Jet in time for anything like full range supplies in the wide range of sizes required, officials say.

Russians in Austria ? -- ? Prohibitions, Announced LATEST DECREES ^ * Vienna, February 7, The Russians have decreed it a crime in the Russian zone to publish posters, hold meetings, parades or dances or show lilius without obtaining Russian approval. The Ministry of the Interior officials to-day continued reports to that effect.

Alleged Cancer Cures ? ♦? Investigation to Commence MR. TREATT IMPRESSED Sydney, February 7. The Premier (Mr. McGirr) said last night that the committee investigating Mr. John Braund's cancer cure claims would discuss his proposals on Tues day. The investigations would prob ably last six months, but an interim report might be made to the public earlier. ' . ? *,;:'? The State' Opposition Leader ' (Mr. Treatt) yesterday visited the home of Mr. Braund. He saw Mr. Braund treat ing patients and will go to Mr, Braund's home again next Monday to watch some of the operations scheduled for that day. Mr. Treatt said: — 'After what I have seen I am satisfied that it is in tho public interest to pursue this mat ter tintil a definite decision is reached.'

Hal Lennon Company Pantomime at Geraldton TIVOLI ARTISTS' TOUR . On a tour of the principal centres ia W estoru Australia the Hal Leuuon Company presented the jKUitouiiuie 'Cinderella' to a large aud apprecia tive audience at the Geraldtou Town Hall last night. In the first place thanks might be extended to those who initiated the enterprise to visit rural areas in the«State. In all branches of life — industrial, commercial, sport and even the theatre — we hear aud read much of the needs and benefits of decentralisation, but it is rather a n-rity to encounter people far-sighted enough, courageous enough and suffi ciently appreciative -of the needs o£ the outer aieas to give this creed practical expression. It was, therefore, pleasing last night to note the liberal patronage accoided a company, the members of ivhich displayed realisation of the fact that the city and urban dweller have u«:t an exclusive monopoly for appre ciating the llesh-aud-blood stage show. A large percentage of ...

MISCELLANEOUS AT Geraldton Newspapers Limited you can obtain .all your school requisites (except text books) at mini mum prices. JJLUFF Point Progress Association — j The annual meeting of the Asso- j ciation will be held in the Bluff Point j Hall on Monday, February Kith, at i 8 p.m. AH persons interested are j invited to attend. — S. E. Bundle, Chair man. £JpaiLDREN — All School Books {except text books) and other School Requisites are obtainable at Geraldton Newspapers Limited. £-AR, Truck and Tractor Re-Boring, Cylinder Sleeving and Complete Engine Overhaul by a First-Class Mechanic ; all work guaranteed and standard charges. — Young Motors Lim ited, Geraldton. Q W.A. MEMBERS — Business of importance to all for discussion on Friday, February 13th. Couie and share in it. On account of United Day of Prayer Services on same afternoon the meeting will commence at 2.30 p.m. at tue C.W.A. Rest Room. — C. Stonehouse, Hon. Sec. JJNGL1SH War Widow (27), like pen friend — Joan, P.O. Box 7...

Australian Socialism Menace to Farmers Seen MR. FADDEN'S WARNING Brisbane, February 7. People on the land should realise that the Federal Government might well attempt to gain control of farm ing properties, as it was attempting to gain control of the private banks.' The Federal Country Party Leader (Mr. A. Fadden) gave this warning at Toowoomba last night. ; '' ' ' He said that a strong section of the Labor Party favored land socialisation. He named Postmaster-Genex-al (Senator Cameron) and the Labor Party Whip (Mr. Fuller) as having publicly declar ed that they believed that the Common wealth Parliament should assume sup ,reine control of land. He understood j that other members of the Party held similar views.

PERSONAL ? «^ ? Mr. and Mrs. C F. Kupsch, of Nab awa, proceeded by last night's train to Perth where they will spend a holiday of several weeks' duration. The Mayor of Geraldton (Dr. J. McAleer) travelled to Perth by air yes terday to join his wife aud daughter (Miss Margaret McAleer), who are staying at the Esplanade Hotel. **** = Mr. A. E. Anderson, manager of Ger aldton Newspapers Limited, accom panied by his wife, travelled to Perth by air yesterday. The main purpose of his visit is to atteud the wedding, of his son (Mr. A. Anderson), which took place this afternoon. * * * * ? » Police-Inspector A. M. O'Connor, who has been stationed at Geraldton as oflicer-in-charge of the Western Police District since April 9th, 194G, com menced accumulated leave to-day prior to his retirement from the Western Australian Police Force. He will return to Geraldton on Tuesday next following an official visit to Perth, and will be accompanied on the journey by his suc cessor - Police-Inspector W. ...

Secret Weapon ? ♦ Wayward Seamen TOO INHUMAN TO USE The terrifying possibilities of atom bombs and rockets have set people thinking about the first inventor of a secret explosive 'that no fleet and no fortress could withstand'-' ; the weapon that a Cabinet commission reported to be infallible, irrestible but inhuman!' That was in 1811, and it was turned down again when its use against Se ?msiopoi was mooted in loo*, because of its rrjterrible implications.' When the inventor left England (his country) in 1818, the Prince Regent, obtained his word of honour that he i would disclose it to no person and no foreign power. He kept his word. That secret weapon is a secret still. Lord Cochrane joined the Navy when he was seventeen, on June 27, 1793. Five years Jater he faced his first court martial for insubordination. He was let off with a caution to 'avoid flippancy,' and two years later obtain ed his first Command. It was not a very elevated command, but this 15S ton brig, crowded rathe...

[?] FROM OUR COLUMNIST IN PARLIAMENT HOUSE Canberra public offices are crowded by the teams of businessmen and food experts from London working out how best to co-operate wish the Australian Federal and .State Governments in Increasing Australian rural production. At. this stage there are no clear-cut tifuruwiHrfcrtt: *j lrh*tTi-rli \i*lifk»it- f.m I Britain at high prices for five years seems likely. The thoroughness with which the Itritishers like L. A. Pluni mer, of the Overseas Food Coriwrutuin, and Xir Henry Turner, of the liritish Ministry of Food, are tackling the difficulties bodes well for Australian rural development and national income. Already the general principle of long term understanding and guaranteed ! markets has been accepted as the base upon. -which encouragement to the Aus tralian primary producer can l-e built. Some of the Rritish experts have been touring food producing areas already. In Queensland, the State Government is providing a private plane for tall, ...